He takes the medication orally by drinking it down after his mum Terri, 32, has measured it for him.

Despite the unpleasant side effects the drug, which include stomach pain, diarrhoea, fatigue and being at an increased risk of hair and teeth loss, liver failure and infertility, Terri agrees with Ethan taking it.

Terri, from Liverpool said: "It was quite a shock when we were first offered chemo.

Sometimes, his condition even attracted cruel comments from strangers.

Terri said: ”Once, a lady said, 'You don't look after him' and I realised he looked like we'd poured boiling water on him.”

At his lowest ebb, Ethan couldn't sleep due to the pain and irritation.

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Ethan having treament at hospital - mood lighting is used to help him feel calmer

When he was 14 months old, the schoolboy underwent numerous tests and medics found he was allergic to eggs, dairy, some fruits, nuts and fish, so dietary changes were made - but there were no differences in his condition.

Then, in summer 2014, further investigations at Liverpool's Alder Hey Children's Hospital concluded that his sore, cracked skin wasn't down to allergies.

Instead, his overactive immune system was attacking itself, so doctors suggested treating him with chemotherapy, hoping it would suppress his immune system and clear his skin up for good.

Terri continued: "I did research and spoke to people on similar medication for other skin conditions and found it was more common than I thought.

"It was hard, because if your child's got cancer they have to have the drug to save their life.

"Although this isn't saving Ethan's life, it's giving him a better quality of life, we hope.

"We decided to go for it because nothing else was available."

Last summer, Ethan began a lower dose of the oral medication, which did little to soothe his skin.

In January, he was put on a different type – but he is yet to see the benefits.

If his condition still fails to improve, he will be put on a higher dosage in two months time.

Meanwhile, he has regular check-ups to ensure his gums, teeth, liver and kidneys have not been damaged.

Terri has also warned him that hair loss could be a possibility – but luckily, he has kept his curly locks.

As the medication compromises his immune system, he is prone to catching bugs and cannot go to school if his classmates have something contagious - even if it's just a common cold.

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Ethan often has to wear bandages which restrict his movement and are uncomfortable

Terri is also fundraising to send Ethan to a clinic in France that offers pioneering hydrotherapy treatment, just in case the chemotherapy continues to fail.

She explained that a clinic near Montpellier uses wraps and creams made from a local water source, to treat a range of skin conditions.

The money raised will cover three rounds of treatment for Ethan, accommodation and transport.

Terri said: ”It's been heartbreaking to see him in so much pain, despite his treatments. He cries that he doesn't want to be Ethan anymore.

"Sometimes his skin is so sore, and because he's wrapped in bandages, he can't turn his neck or run around easily.

"He says, "Why am I taking it if it's not working and it tastes so bad?

"But in this position you try anything. I want Ethan to live a normal life."